Utility cart portable plans table

ABSTRACT

A portable plans table configured to be used with a utility cart. The table top can be a non-fold table top, a mono-fold table top, or bi-fold table top that is large enough to support building plans, blueprints and the like. Each table top comprises leg members. The leg members can be panel leg members, a rotatable leg assembly, separate legs, or tubular folding legs. The embodiments of the plans table comprise various combinations of the different table tops and leg members. Each plans table embodiment can easily fold and be carried from one site to another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/256,978, filed on Jan. 24, 2019, entitled “Utility Cart PortablePlans Table”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/829,825, filed on Dec. 1, 2017, and entitled “Utility CartPortable Plans Table”; each of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention generally relatesto construction. More specifically, the exemplary embodiment(s) of thepresent invention relates to a lightweight, portable, foldable planstable configured to be used with a utility cart comprising adjustablelegs and an adjustable pitch.

2. Background

A principal problem for users such as construction workers, architects,and the like who use a plans table in their daily operation is that itis very difficult to transport the plans table to different sites or todifferent locations within the same site. Typically, the user needs tobuild a plans table at each construction site. This creates aninconvenience for the user by having to build multiple plans table forvarious projects. Another dilemma is the difficulty of having to movethe bulky, heavy plans table from one area of the site to another.

There exist plans tables that are static blocks made of wood or metaland are very bulky and difficult to transport. These plans tables cannotbe folded and stored behind the seat of a vehicle. Instead, they must betransported in the bed of a truck which takes up space for needed tools.Existing plans tables do not have an adjustable pitch or adjustable legsmaking it difficult for construction workers of varying height to use.The width of the legs of existing plans table is also not adjustable.Moreover, the tops to existing plans tables are not adjustable making itchallenging to read plans when they are larger in size.

For these foregoing reasons, there is a need for a foldable, portable,adjustable plans table that is configured to be used with a utilitycart.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is a portableplans table configured to be used on top of a utility cart comprising atable top having a front border, a rear border, a left side border and aright side border with the front border and the rear border extending adepth beneath an under surface of the table top, creating a storablearea for foldable support structures attached to the under surface ofthe table top, the depth equal to at least a maximum thickness of thefoldable support structures in a stowed state. In the embodiment, adistance between the left side border and right side border measures awidth of the table top and a distance between the front border and rearborder measures a length of the table top; and the table top having anonadjustable pitch created by a height difference along a length ofeach foldable support structure, wherein the front border is pitchedlower than the rear border such that the front border is closer to a topof the utility cart and the rear border is further away from the top ofthe utility cart.

According to another embodiment of the present invention there is aportable plans table configured to be used on top of a utility cartcomprising a table top having a front border, a rear border, a left sideborder and a right side border, with the front border and the rearborder extending a depth beyond an under surface of the table top,creating a storable area for rotatable support structures attached tothe under surface of the table top, the depth equal to at least amaximum thickness of the rotatable support structures in a stowed state.In the embodiment, a distance between the left side border and rightside border measures a width of the table top and a distance between thefront border and rear border measures a length of the table top; and thetable top having an adjustable pitch created by the rotatable supportstructures, wherein each rotatable support structure is adjustable,having a height telescoping range of approximately 2 to 6 inches.

These features, advantages and other embodiments of the presentinvention are further made apparent, in the remainder of the presentdocument, to those of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more fully describe embodiments of the present invention,reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are notto be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but aremerely illustrative.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a plans table with panel legmembers in open position, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a plans table with panel legmembers in folded position, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of a plans table with panel leg membersin open position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevation view of a plans table with panelleg members in open position, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a right elevation view of a plans table with panelleg members in open position, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of a plans table with panel leg membersin closed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front elevation view of a plans table with panelleg members in closed position, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation view of a plans table with panel legmembers in closed position, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a planstable with panel leg members in open position, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of another embodiment of a plans tablepartially folded and the panel leg members in a partially closedposition, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a plans table partially folded and thepanel leg members in a partially closed position, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a plans table completelyfolded and the panel leg members in a closed position, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a yet another embodiment of aplans table with panel leg members in open position, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a plans table folded and thepanel leg members in closed position, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom view of a plans table substantially foldedand the panel leg members in closed position, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a bottom view of a plans table partially folded andthe panel leg members in closed position, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a bottom view of a plans table in open position,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a plans table with panel leg members being used ontop of a utility cart, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of a rotatable leg assembly,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a front view of a rotatable leg assembly, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a right elevation view of a rotatable leg assembly,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a top view of a rotatable leg assembly, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates a bottom view of a rotatable leg assembly foldedagainst the under surface, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a rotatable legassembly folded against the under surface of a plans table partially inclosed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates yet another bottom perspective view of a legassembly folded against the under surface of a plans table partially inclosed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 illustrates a right elevation view of a plans table with therotatable leg assembly on top of a utility cart, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 illustrates the lip of the utility cart abutting the supportstructures, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 illustrates a right elevation view of a plans table withseparate legs, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 illustrates a bottom view of a plans table with separate legsfolded down, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 illustrates a left elevation view of a plans table with separatelegs on top of a utility cart, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 31 illustrates a right elevation view of a plans table with tubularfolding legs, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 illustrates a bottom view of a plans table with tubular foldinglegs folded against the under surface, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The description above and below and the drawings of the present documentfocus on one or more currently preferred embodiments and also describesome exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. Thedescription and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and notlimitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognizevariations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations,modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the presentinvention. Section titles are terse and are for convenience only.

Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments are givenwith reference to specific configurations. It will be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can beembodied in other specific forms. Those of ordinary skill in the artwould be able to practice such other embodiments without undueexperimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose ofthe present patent document, is not limited merely to the specificexample embodiments or alternatives of the foregoing description.

Various embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawingsmay not be drawn to scale. Rather, the dimensions of the variousfeatures may be expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some ofthe drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may notdepict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) ormethod.

The disclosure relates to a portable, foldable plans table 2 configuredto operate with a utility cart. Typical utility cart widths are about 16inches to 24 inches. There are multiple embodiments of the plans table 2and the embodiments comprise a structural ribbing on the under surface 6to provide structural integrity. In one embodiment, the plans table 2does not have a foldable table top. In another embodiment, the planstable 2 has a mono-fold table top. In yet another embodiment, the planstable 2 has a bi-fold table top. The table top 3 has a front border 8, arear border 10, a left side border 11 and a right side border 12, withthe front border 8 and the rear border 10 extending a depth beneath anunder surface 6 of the table top 3, creating a storable area forfoldable support structures attached to the under surface 6 of the tabletop 3 The depth of the front and rear border that extends past the undersurface is equal to at least a maximum thickness of the foldable supportstructures in a stowed state. Alternatively, or in addition, the leftside border 11 and the right side border 12 extends a depth beneath anunder surface 6 of the table top 3, creating a storable area forfoldable support structures attached to the under surface 6 of the tabletop 3. The depth of the left side border and the right side border wouldbe equal to at least a maximum thickness of the foldable supportstructures in a stowed state.

The direction of the width is referred to as W1 for all the table topembodiments as labeled in FIG. 1. The direction of the length isreferred to as L1 for all the table top embodiments as labeled in FIG. 2and L2 for all the panel leg members as illustrated in FIG. 13. Thelength L2 of the panel leg members 54 is bound by the front edge and theback edge. These various table tops can be mixed and matched withvarious support structures. The embodiments of the support structure canbe panel leg members 54, a rotatable leg assembly 56 (which can also becalled rotatable support structures), multiple separate legs 58, andtubular folding legs 62. The rotatable leg assembly 56, which can alsobe called rotatable support structures, have with the ability to adjustto two cart sizes and abut the cart lip 65. Separate legs 58 can also becalled separate adjustable legs. The disclosure separately discusses thevariations in table tops and variations in leg members. Any of the tabletops can have a coffee cup holder attached or built into the table top.Likewise, a container 68 for writing or measuring tools can be attachedor built anywhere into the table top.

FIGS. 1-18 illustrate plans table 2 with panel leg members 54, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of thefoldable plans table 2, the foldable plans table 2 is large enough tosupport full size plans for construction and the like. In thenon-foldable table top embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the table top 3can be 40-48 inches in width W1 and 26-38 inches in length L1. Theheight of the plans table 2 ranges depending on the height of the panelleg members 54. For example, the front edge of the panel leg members 54can be around 6 inches to 10 inches and increase in height until itreaches the rear (back edge) at a height of around 10 inches to 16inches. The incline of the panel leg members 54 creates the pitch forthe plans table 2. The plans table 2 has an upper surface 4 and an undersurface 6 (not shown, see FIG. 3), a front border 8 that faces the user,a rear border 10 that faces away from the user, a left side border 11,and a right side border 12. The under surface 6 is a storable area wherethe support structures are stowed. There is a lip 5 attached to thefront border 8 extending up from the upper surface to prevent the plansfrom sliding down. A handle 28 is attached to the front border 8 foreasy handling. A spring clip bar 26 is attached on the upper surface 4substantially close to the left side border 11 or rear border 10,however, the spring clip bar 26 can be attached anywhere on the uppersurface 4 and is used to support the plans.

The material of the plans table 2 can be made of wood, metal such as:stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum. It can also be plastic such as:polyoxmethylene (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate(PET or PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene(PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The plans table 2 can be acustom solid piece of plastic or can be produced by a structural foammold injection process. For both process types, the plastic materialslisted above can be utilized. The panel leg members 54 connect to theundersurface 6 of the table top 3. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective viewof a plans table with panel leg members in folded position, according toan embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom viewof a plans table with panel leg members 54 in open position, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The hinge 32 has a lockingbrace 34 that locks the panel leg members 54 in place when the planstable 2 is in open position. FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevation viewof a plans table 2 with panel leg members 54 in open position, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. There is a locking latch 36that holds the panel leg members 54 in closed position so the user caneasily carry the plans table 2. The locking brace 34 locks the panel legmembers 54 in place. FIG. 5 illustrates a right elevation view of aplans table 2 with panel leg members 54 in open position, according toan embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom viewof a plans table 2 with panel leg members 54 in closed position,according to an embodiment of the present invention. The locking latch36 is shown to lock the two panels 54 in place.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front elevation view of a plans table 2 with panelleg members 54 in closed position, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. When in closed position, the plans table 2 isportable and slim. FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation view of a planstable 2 with panel leg members 54 in closed position, according to anembodiment of the present invention. A shown in this embodiment, theright side border 12 extends a depth beneath the under surface 6 suchthat a storable space is formed in which the folded panel leg members 54are in a closed or stowed position, such that the panel leg members 54do not protrude past the depth of the side border when in a stowedposition. In other embodiments of the present invention, at least twoopposing borders (11, 12 or 8, 10) extend a depth beneath the undersurface 6, the depth being equal to at least a thickness of the foldedpanel leg members in the stowed position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a plans table 2 with panel legmembers 54 in open position that is mono-fold, according to anembodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of thefoldable plans table 2, the foldable plans table 2 is large enough tosupport full size plans for construction and the like. In thisembodiment, the table top can be about 48-74 inches in width W1 and26-38 inches in length L1. The height of the plans table 2 depends onthe support structure connected to the table top. The height at thefront of the plans table 2 can be approximately 6 inches and increase toabout 16 inches in the rear. For example, the front of the panel legmembers 54 can be around 6 inches to 10 inches and increase in heightuntil it reaches the rear at a height of around 10 inches to 16 inches.The table top has an upper surface 4, under surface 6 (not shown, seeFIG. 10), front border 8, rear border 10, left side border 11 and rightside border 12. The table top has a left panel 42 and a right panel 46.The left panel 42 and right panel 46 can each be about 24-37 inches wideand about 26-38 inches in length. The height of the plans table 2 rangesdepending on the height of the panel leg members 54. The incline of thepanel leg members 54 creates the pitch for the plans table 2.

The plans table 2 is constructed by attaching the right panel 46 and theleft panel 42 together preferably by a hinge 32, such as a piano hinge(not shown), locking hinge or traditional hinge. The hinge 32 allows thetable top 3 to fold in half, preferably along the width midline 40. Aspring clip bar 26 is attached to the upper surface 4 of the table top,preferably on the left panel 42 edge. A lip 5 is connected to the frontborder of the table top 3 to prevent plans from sliding down. A handle28 is attached to the front border 8 for carrying and folding the planstable 2. The plans table 2 can be made of wood, metal such as: stainlesssteel, carbon steel, aluminum. It can also be plastic such as:polyoxmethylene (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate(PET or PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene(PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the two halves of the table top foldtowards each other along the midline 40 along a lengthwise direction sothat the under surfaces 6 of the left panel 42 and right panel 46 arefacing each other when the plans table 2 is in closed position. Thepanel leg members 54 collapse against the under surface 6 and are stowedwhen the plans table 2 is in closed position to make it compact andportable. FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a plans table 2 partiallyfolded and the panel leg members in a partially closed position,according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 illustratesa perspective view of a plans table 2 completely folded and the panelleg members 54 (not shown, see FIG. 11) in a closed position, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. By making the plans table 2compact, it is easily stored and carried to different sites.

In another embodiment of the plans table 2, the plans table 2 has abi-fold table top large enough to support full size plans forconstruction and the like as illustrated in FIG. 13-17. The table tophas an upper surface 4, under surface 6 (not shown, see FIG. 15), frontborder 8, rear border 10, left side border 11 and right side border 12.The table top has a left panel 42, a middle panel 44, and a right panel46. In between the left panel 42 and middle panel 44, there is a leftpanel insert 48. Likewise, in between the right panel 46 and middlepanel 44, there is a right panel insert 50. The left panel insert 48 andright panel insert 50 allow the table top 3 to fold and stay in theclosed position. The left panel 42 can be about 16 inches −23 inches inwidth W1 to about 26-38 inches in length L1. The middle panel 44 can beabout 32 inches-46 inches in width W1 to about 26-38 inches in lengthL1. The right panel 46 can be about 16 inches-23 inches in width W1 toabout 26-38 inches in length L1. The left panel insert 48 and the rightpanel insert 50 can be about 2 inches-3 inches in width W1 to about26-38 inches in length L1. A coffee cup holder 30 can be made on thetable top. There is also a handle 28. For example, the panel leg members54 can be about 16 to 24 inches in length L2.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a perspective view of a plans table 2 foldedand the panel leg members 54 (not shown, see FIG. 15) in closedposition, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.15-16 illustrates a bottom view of a plans table 2 substantially foldedand the panel leg members 54 in closed position, according to anembodiment of the present invention. There is a locking latch 36 used tosecure the panels 54. The right panel 46 and the left panel 42 arefolded against the under surface 6. The under surface 6 is a storablearea for the panel leg members 54. FIG. 16 illustrates a bottom view ofa plans table partially folded and the panel leg members in closedposition, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tabletop folds substantially flat in the closed position. A closed positionis maintained using a locking mechanism such as a loop with a lockinglatch or a sliding mechanism that locks into a slot. As illustrated inFIG. 16, there is an embodiment of the foldable plans table 2 whereinthe front border 8 and the rear border 10 extend a depth beneath anunder surface 6 of the table top 3, creating a storable area forfoldable support structures attached to the under surface 6 of the tabletop 3, the depth equal to at least a maximum thickness of the foldablesupport structures in a stowed state.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 the table top is constructed by aligning andconnecting the left panel 42 to the left panel insert 48 with aconnecting mechanism such as a hinge 32, preferably a piano hinge.Similarly, the right panel 46 is connected to the right panel insert 50with a connecting mechanism such as a hinge 32, preferably a pianohinge. The left panel insert 48 is connected to the middle panel 44 andthe right panel insert 50 is connected to the opposing side of themiddle panel 44 with a connecting mechanism such as a hinge 32,preferably a piano hinge. Panel supports 52 are connected to the undersurface 6 of the table top and are used to support the left panel 42 andright panel 46 so they are even with the middle panel 44.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, to extend the left panel 42 and right panel46 to the same level as the middle panel 44, the user pulls the leftpanel 42 and right panel 46 up to the same level as the middle panel 44and pulls the panel support 52 to extend it past the left panel 42 andright panel 46. When the user closes the table top 3, the user pusheseach of the panel support 52 back into the casing and folds down theleft panel 42 and right panel 46. The panel leg members 54 are connectedto substantially the left and right side of the middle panel 44.

The material of the plans table 2 can be made of wood, metal such as:stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum. It can also be plastic such as:polyoxmethylene (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate(PET or PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene(PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The panel leg members 54connect to the undersurface 6 of the table top 3. The panel leg members54 collapse against the under surface 6 and are stowed when the planstable 2 is in closed position to make it compact and portable.

There are various embodiments of support structures that can be attachedto the under surface 6 of a table top 3. Below, embodiments of supportstructures are disclosed, then a combination of various table tops 3with variation of support structures will be disclosed thereafter.

The support structure can be two panels 54 connected to the undersurface 6 of each embodiment of the table top 3 via a connectingmechanism such as a hinge 32. The panel leg members 54 are solid and canbe made of wood, metal such as: stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum.It can also be plastic such as: polyoxmethylene (POM), polycarbonate(PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene(LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS). The panel leg members 54 can be a custom solid piece ofplastic or can be produced by a structural foam mold injection process.For both process types, the plastic materials listed above can beutilized. The panel leg members 54 are cut to a certain pitch so thetable top can be set at a range of about 10-25 degrees angle. Forexample, the front of the panel leg members 54 can be around 6 inches to10 inches and increase in height until it reaches the rear at a heightof around 10 inches to 16 inches. Each panel leg member 54 are connectedto the under surface 6 substantially close to the left side border 11and right side border 12. The panel leg members 54 are connected byhinges 32 which allow the panel leg members 54 to fold against the undersurface 6 when in closed position. There is a locking latch 36 thatholds the panel leg members 54 in closed position so the user can easilycarry the plans table 2. The hinge 32 has a locking brace 34 that locksthe panel leg members 54 in place when the plans table 2 is in openposition. The measurements of the panel leg members 54 allow the planstable 2 to position securely on top of a utility cart. For example, theends of the base of each panel leg member 54 abut the inside surface ofthe lip 65 at the top of the utility cart 66. As illustrated in FIG. 18,the lip 65 of the top surface of the utility cart 66 prevents the planstable 2 from moving. There is also an optional container 68 for pencils,pens, tools and the like.

FIGS. 19-22 illustrate another embodiment of support structure that canbe a rotatable leg assembly 56 or be called rotatable supportstructures. The rotatable leg assembly 56 comprises a plate 16, an outervertical segment 20, an inner vertical segment 21 and a horizontalsegment 22, also referred to as an adjustable base. The outer verticalsegment 20 and inner vertical segment 21 can move in a telescopingmanner so as to adjust the height of the rotatable leg assembly 56. Theplate 16 connects the rotatable leg assembly 56 to the under surface 6of the table top. The plate 16 is located substantially to the left sideborder 11 and right side border 12 of the table top. For the bi-foldtable top 3, the plate 16 is located substantially to the left sideborder 11 and right side border 12 of the middle panel 44. Thehorizontal segment 22 is about 16 inches long and has extensions 24 onboth sides that can extend out to fit different size utility carts. Eachextension 24 extends about six inches from the horizontal segment 22.The total length of the extensions 24 and horizontal segment 22 canadjust from about 16 inches to 24 inches. The total length of the innervertical segment 21 and outer vertical segment 20 can adjust from about12 inches to 16 inches. The extensions 24 are locked into place by amechanism such as a snap button 18. The outer vertical segment 20rotates 90 degrees from closed to open position and is locked into placewith a mechanism such as a snap button 18. The rotatable leg assembly 56can be made out of metal but other materials can be contemplated.

FIG. 23 illustrates a bottom view of a rotatable leg assembly foldedagainst the under surface, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. There are hinges 32 such as piano hinges at the midline 40,which allows the bi-fold plans table to fold in half. There can beseparate hinges as illustrated in FIG. 23 or one continuous hinge. Therotatable leg assembly 56 can be stowed along the width or the length ofthe plans table. FIG. 24 illustrates a bottom perspective view of arotatable leg assembly folded against the under surface of a plans tablepartially in closed position, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The rotatable leg assembly 56 can be positioned as shown inFIG. 25. FIG. 25 illustrates yet another bottom perspective view of aleg assembly folded against the under surface of a plans table partiallyin closed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 26 illustrates a right elevation view of a plans table with therotatable leg assembly on top of a utility cart, according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 illustrates the lip 65 ofthe utility cart 66 abutting the rotatable leg assembly 56, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

To move the rotatable leg assembly 56 from closed position to openposition, one option is the user lifts up the rotatable leg assembly 56from against the under surface 6, releases the locking mechanism, suchas a snap button 18 and extends the extensions 24 so that the rotatableleg assembly 56 abut the lip 65 of the utility cart 66. Another optionto move the rotatable leg assembly 56 from closed position to openposition, the user lifts up the rotatable leg assembly 56 from againstthe under surface 6, releases the locking mechanism, such as a snapbutton 18 and rotates the outer vertical segment 20 about 90 degrees andlocks it in place with the inner vertical segment 21 using a lockingmechanism such as a snap button. If the top surface of the utility cartis wider, the length of the horizontal segment 22 can be adjusted byextending the extensions 24. The plate 16 has three holes 70 which allowthe rotatable leg assembly 56 to be positioned in preferably threedifferent configurations. The first configuration is when the rotatableleg assembly 56 lays substantially flat against the under surface 6 inclosed position. The second configuration is when the table top is at arange from 10 to 30 degrees pitch relative to the rotatable leg assembly56. The third configuration is when the table top is substantially at 90degrees to the rotatable leg assembly 56. The height of the rotatableleg assembly 56 is telescopically adjustable ranging from about 2 inchesto 6 inches in height adjustment.

The rotatable leg assembly 56 can be made of metal such as: stainlesssteel, carbon steel, aluminum. It can also be plastic such as:polyoxmethylene (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate(PET or PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene(PS), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

Another embodiment of a support structure comprises four separate legs58 as illustrated in FIGS. 28-30, each connected to the under surface 6of the table top by a connecting mechanism, such as a hinge 32. Each leg58 can adjust to different heights as each leg comprises holes that canbe secured at different heights using a locking mechanism, such as asnap button 18. When the user needs the plans table 2 to be set at apitch, the user can adjust the back two legs 58 at a higher height thanthe front two legs 58.

As illustrated in FIG. 29, the legs 58 can be folded down in acompartment along the width of the under surface 6 or along the lengthof the under surface 6 making the plans table 2 compact and portable. Asillustrated in FIG. 30, the legs 58 can be about 6 inches to 12 inchesin height in the front and about 12 inches to 16 inches in height in theback. The legs 58 can each be secured to the under surface 6 at about9.5 inches in from the left side border 11 and right side border 12 andabout 8.5 inches in from the front border 8 and rear border 10;substantially close to the edge of the various table tops so that thelegs 58 can provide sufficient support and balance to the plans table 2.The legs 58 can be secured to the under surface 6 with folding table legbrackets that mount to the under surface 6 of the table top 3 in whichthe plans table 2 will have a pitched wedge where the bracket mounts.Once the legs 58 are in closed position, the legs 58 will be secured bya leg holder/clip which will allow the leg to be locked in a closedposition. When the plans table 2 sits in the utility cart 66, each legseparately abuts the lip 65 of the utility cart 66 to provide stabilityand prevent movement of the plans table 2.

The leg 58 can be made of metal such as: stainless steel, carbon steel,aluminum. It can also be plastic such as: polyoxmethylene (POM),polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE),high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-densitypolyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), oracrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

Another embodiment of a support structure comprises tubular folding legs62 as illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32, each connected to the undersurface 6 of the table top by a connecting mechanism such as a hinge 32or bracket 60. The tubular folding legs 62 comprise two verticalstructures 72 and a base 74. The first end of each vertical structure 72attach to the under surface 6 of the plans table 2 and the second endattach to the base 74. The tubular folding legs 62 are locatedsubstantially towards the left side border 11 and right side border 12of the table top. For the bi-fold table top, the tubular folding legs 62are located substantially to the left side border 11 and right sideborder 12 of the middle panel 44. The pitch of the table top can beadjustable or nonadjustable. The pitch can be adjusted by moving thebracket 60. The pitch can be nonadjustable as the tubular folding legs62 are manufactured at a specific pitch. There is a locking mechanismsuch as a snap button 18 or bracket 60 to keep the tubular folding legs62 from collapsing in the open position. The locking brace 32 can bereleased and each tubular folding legs 62 can fold towards the middle ofthe non-fold table top 3, the mono-fold table top or bi-fold table topwhen in closed position. Once the folding legs 62 is in its closedposition, the folding legs 62 will be secured by a leg holder/clip whichwill allow the leg to be locked in a closed position. The height of thetubular folding legs 62 can be about 6-8 inches in the front and about12-16 inches in height at the back. The length of the tubular foldinglegs can be about 14 inches to about 30 inches in order to fit on thetop of a utility cart. The tubular folding legs 62 can be made of metalsuch as: stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum. It can also be made ofplastic such as: polyoxmethylene (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET or PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP),polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those of skills in the art thatbased upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from this exemplary embodiment(s) of the presentinvention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims areintended to encompass within their scope all such changes andmodifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this exemplaryembodiment(s) of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable plans table configured to be used ontop of a utility cart comprising: a bi-fold table top having a leftpanel, a middle panel, and a right panel, wherein a left panel insert islocated between the left panel and the middle panel and a right panelinsert is located between the right panel and the middle panel; and afront border, a rear border, a left side border and a right side border,with the front border and the rear border extending a depth beneath anunder surface of the table top, creating a storable area for foldablesupport structures attached to the under surface of the table top, thedepth equal to at least a maximum thickness of the foldable supportstructures in a stowed state; a distance between the left side borderand right side border measures a width of the table top and a distancebetween the front border and rear border measures a length of the tabletop; and the table top having a nonadjustable pitch created by a heightdifference along a length of each foldable support structure, whereinthe front border is pitched lower than the rear border such that thefront border is closer to a top of the utility cart and the rear borderis further away from the top of the utility cart.
 2. The portable planstable according to claim 1, wherein the left panel is approximately 16to 23 inches in width and approximately 26 to 38 inches in length. 3.The portable plans table according to claim 1, wherein the middle panelis approximately 32 to 46 inches in width and approximately 26 to 38inches in length.
 4. The portable plans table according to claim 1,wherein the right panel is approximately 16 to 23 inches in width andapproximately 26 to 38 inches in length.
 5. The portable plans tableaccording to claim 1, wherein the left panel insert is connected to theleft panel and middle panel with a hinge.
 6. The portable plans tableaccording to claim 5, wherein the hinge is a piano hinge.
 7. Theportable plans table according to claim 1, wherein the right panelinsert is connected to the right panel and middle panel with a hinge. 8.The portable plans table according to claim 7, wherein the hinge is apiano hinge.
 9. The portable plans table according to claim 1, whereinin the stowed position, the middle panel is positioned approximately ata 90 degree angle to the left panel insert and to the right panelinsert.
 10. The portable plans table according to claim 1, wherein inthe stowed position, the left panel and the right panel areapproximately parallel to the middle panel.
 11. The portable plans tableaccording to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to maintaina closed position.
 12. The portable plans table according to claim 11,wherein the locking mechanism is a loop and a locking latch.
 13. Theportable plans table according to claim 11, wherein the lockingmechanism slides into a slot.
 14. The portable plans table according toclaim 1, wherein the left panel insert and the right panel insert areapproximately 2 to 3 inches in width and approximately 26 to 38 inchesin length.
 15. The portable plans table according to claim 1, whereinthe table top is approximately 34 to 49 inches in width andapproximately 26 to 38 inches in length.
 16. The portable plans table ofclaim 1, further comprising adjustable panel supports connected to theunder surface of the table top.
 17. The portable plans table of claim 1,wherein a front edge of each foldable support structure is approximately6 to 10 inches in height.
 18. The portable plans table of claim 1,wherein a back edge of each foldable support structure is approximately10 to 16 inches in height.
 19. The portable plans table of claim 1,wherein each foldable support structure is located on the middle panel.20. The portable plans table of claim 1, further comprising a handlepositioned on the front border.